The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1887-04-17
The Great struggle,

Just now Texas is engaged in novel
struggle to her, one which Is novel in
shc entire south a well 1t is u ,trug-
glc which has two sides to it, and 1t IL
one which is by no means certain in
the results to follow Both sides seem
earnest. and earnest, patriotic aud
piOus men are to be found working
on either side with equal assiduity
aud determination. On the one hand
it was sought to iastcn the charge OF
mere church movement. On the
other hand II was sought to connect
the anti-prohibitionists with the ga
loon interests exclusively. Both these
efforts have measurably failed and
both sides are settling down to what
must be battle OF logic reason and
patriotism only. There are many
earnest men to be found in the ranks
of the prohibitioni-ts who are not
churchmcn, who are hberalists, inf
dcls aud opposed TO all churches, who
are there from sincere conviction
of the correctness OF the policy OF
REFRESHING the sale of liquor and les.
sening the evils OF drunkenness.
These men are law abiding. patriotic
people, and IRE not to be put down
/ by the cry of church ON the other
/ hand there are many men IN anti
prohibition ranks who do not drink.
who are sincere aud honest temper
auce men aud who have no cObnec-
ton whatever with the profits from
the sale of liquor There are many
men who do regard such euactmonts
~ the proposed amendments, rs an
infringement upon the personal lib
erty of the citizen. There arc also
many democrats in the ranks Of anti
prohibition who honestly do regard
all legi ,lauon and policy OF the order
of prohibition rs anti democratic.
They are perfectly honest IN this con-
victions. plank f. to the contrary
Notwithstanding The men behind
these two propositions cannot be
laughed out OF court They are not
of the sort to bc poo-pOohcd out OF
the position, and they are able and
willing to meet aud debate the matter
with the ablcst and the best ON the
other side. This being the case, does
1t not seem that there is enough to do
in the legitimate conduct of the can
VAss. without rcsortiug TO the tricks,
abuse aud ianiaronAdc OF ordinary
political struggles; The argument
docs not all belong on one side, any
moro than does the deccncy, the
/ principle and the chance.
We ,aid nj tho outset that we de-
sired to see the question receive the
fullest. lrecst and most exhaustive
examination possible under all the
circumstances, hence it j. that we
regret to see several of
the porn leaders of the people
on both sides, comfortably and lgno-
bly, resting in the shAdc by the way
idle. Neutrality is II doubtful place
at best, But III n case where Interests
of such gigantic moment are being de-
cidcd We doubt il it is not the place
of all men, especially those who have
been the leaders of the people. 70
como out for their convictions and
cndcavor TO strengthen the right. ~
they understand It, This would III
sure n full discussion. This would
insure the turning M TO the broad
light of day bottom or bcdrock phil
osophics, principles and facts. The
people OF Texas want 10 act for the
best aud in adopting such an innuva.
ton upon all southern or democratic
policy they will want to be profound
~ convinced that IN giving up the
old aud tried policy of our section
and party, they are getting III return
political Jewel of inestimable worth
and value.
Now with such nm understanding
u, the above would indicate whore is
there room to work in offensive per-
sonshSms or why be reduced to the
shifts OF taking up mere lapses OF in.
diyiduals,and ignoring vital principles
which bristlc out all over the subject.
Are whisky. wine and beer evils OF the
proportions claimed II so, does
prohibition prohibit; Is prohibition
the only or the best means with
winch we can meet the evils: II
would seem that within these qucs
TONS will be found enough OF the
solid meat of logic, the chewing and
digestion of which would leave little
orno time for the mutual blackg uard
ing which some on both sides seem
pAucrlN to Liant for.